Halfords vetting their customers.

[Saddle bum]

Went into my local Halfords. The Bike Hut chief honcho was a nice lad and said it was a pleasure to talk to a "proper cyclist" - flattery will get him everywhere.

I enquired about buying a Boardman frame, not the complete machine, but just the top end frame. He seemed happy enough to get some info.

I needed some techie stuff to ensure my present group set would be totally compatible. So I sent an email to Halfords customer services.

I got a reply stating they would not sell a frame on it's own - it would be "diluting the brand". This despite stating I wanted to fit top end Campg kit on it.

So I, and my premium kit are not good enough for them. So stuff them ...........

 

[swee'pea99]

Actually the bit about no frame only was just a cover story...they know you, and they just don't want your type on their nice Boardmans. Like Basil Fawlty: 'no riff raff'.

 

[I am Spartacus]

I wouldnt get so up about it.... it is probably more down to their supply chain... i.e. components manufactured and put together in Taiwan.. so a 'frame' on its own is something that their ordering system cannot handle.

 

[Hilldodger]

Why should they sell you just a frame?

You wouldn't go to Ford and ask for a Focus without the engine because you want to fit something else.

 

[ianrauk]

And perhaps Mr Boardman only wants Halfords to sell a complete bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

yet I've seen frames on sale and at the high end they sell frame only iirc

 

[wafflycat]

It's a manufacturer/retailer thing. It's quite common to be able to buy frameset only for many a brand. Some, on the other hand are only interested in selling complete bikes.

 

[Paulus]

Would it be possible to get your LBS to source a Boardman frame for you? Or, are Boardman bikes exclusive to Halfords?

 

[Hilldodger]

Halfords make most of the profit on the components fitted so they're not going to sell just a frame.

 

[adscrim]

There's a small team carbon frame on ebay currently.

 

[Crankarm]

Why should they sell you just a frame?

You wouldn't go to Ford and ask for a Focus without the engine because you want to fit something else.

 

[rich p]

Buy the whole thing and put the unused bits on ebay. You'll probably end up in pocket with the price of components these days.

 

[fossyant]

Buy the RED and Zipp 440 equipped one - it's only £3500. Sell the wheels and groupset, and the frame will be free.

 

[beanzontoast]

Email them back saying actually, you've changed your mind as you don't want to dilute your top end kit by adding it to one of their frames.